2016 • SENIOR SEASON: Has played in all 12 games and started nine • recorded 16 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss of 11 yards, one sack and recovered two fumbles. Game-by-Game: Recorded two tackles including one for a loss of two yards against Oregon State • registered first career sack for a loss of three yards against Indiana State • saw action against Colorado State and Penn State • played against Iowa and recorded one tackle • tallied two tackles against Maryland • notched two tackles against Rutgers • registered two tackles and recovered a career high two fumbles against Illinois (the Gophers scored after both fumble recoveries) • saw action against Purdue • made one tackle against Nebraska • recorded three tackles including 1.5 for a loss of three yards against Northwestern • notched two tackles including one for a loss of three yards.

2015 • JUNIOR SEASON: Played in seven games, starting five • recorded 15 tackles, including 2.0 behind the line of scrimmage • recovered a fumble • missed five games of the regular season due to injury • Academic All-Big Ten. Game-by-Game:Tallied a tackle against TCU • registered two tackles and recovered a fumble in overtime at Colorado State • made a solo tackle versus Kent State • totaled five tackles, including a team-high 2.0 tackles-for-loss, against Ohio • recorded a tackle at Northwestern • registered four tackles versus Nebraska • recorded one solo tackle against Central Michigan.

2014: Made his first career start against Eastern Illinois, but suffered a season-ending injury during the game • received a medical hardship from the NCAA and has two years of eligibility (2015-16 and 2016-17) remaining.

2013 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Played in 13 games • made 19 tackles, including one tackle-for-loss. Game-by-Game: Saw action against UNLV and recorded four tackles • assisted on one tackle at New Mexico State • played against Western Illinois, San Jose State, Iowa and at Michigan but did not record any statistics • made three tackles, including one for a loss, at Northwestern • notched one tackle against Nebraska and two at Indiana • assisted on two tackles against Penn State and Wisconsin • made one tackle at Michigan State • assisted on three tackles against Syracuse.

2012 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Played in all 13 games • recorded 14 tackles and 4.0 tackles-for-loss • named team's Outstanding Defensive Freshman of the Year. Game-by-Game: Made Minnesota and collegiate debut at UNLV and recorded two tackles • made one solo tackle against New Hampshire and against Western Michigan • registered two solo tackles, which included one tackle-for-loss, and recovered a fumble in win against Syracuse • assisted on one tackle at Iowa • made one solo tackle vs. Northwestern and vs. Purdue • recorded two tackles, including one for a loss, vs. Michigan • made one solo tackle vs. Michigan State • notched two tackles, including one for a loss vs. Texas Tech.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2011 graduate of Lewisville High School • earned second-team All-District 8-5A honors as an offensive lineman as a senior • was a second-team All-District 8-5A defensive line choice following his junior season • tallied 30 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one sack and three forced fumbles in 2010 • recorded 24 total stops, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks and one forced fumble as a senior • coached by Dick Olin.

PERSONAL: Born March 10, 1994 • son of Joel and Edith Ekpe • younger brother, Hendrick, is a defensive lineman for the Gophers • has already earned his degree in business and marketing education • working on his master's degree in human resource development.